Digital and 3D will not kill the Gentry’s business. The studios will never get all the rural and small town theatres to install Digital and 3D equipment and the story lines for 3D are weak. When the novelty wears off I believe it will be gone just as it was in the ‘50s. If the Gentry offers what the community wants (rather than shoving down their throats what Hollywood says they want) and offers excellent screen performances and reasonable prices it will do just fine. Catering to the community and becoming an active part of it is what makes a theatre successful.
Has anyone ever stopped to realize Marilyn Monroe couldn’t act if her life depended on it. She was a sex symbol and that’s all. In an era when we went to movies to watch our favorite personalities (John Wayne was always John Wayne. Jimmy Stewart was always Jimmy Stewart, etc.) Marilyn Monroe was always Marilyn Monroe and one dose of her was enough to last a lifetime. Norma Jean Baker should have stayed where she was.
Go here http://www.mcmenamins.com/ They are running a number of such theatres in the Portland, Oregon area. Perhaps they would be willing to give you some info.
I managed a 248 seat single screen theatre in NE Iowa in ‘06, the admission was .99 cents and the theatre ran seven days a week. It was very profitable. The nearest competition was 30 miles away. If this 200 seater has competition it can be run successfully by not going head-to-head with the competition (don’t play what they’re playing) but become a specialty house. Assuming all the equipment is in place and in good shape I wouldn’t hesitate to rent it.
I was in that place in the 90s and there is not room for six auditoriums. They would have been better off restoring it as a single screener or at the most twin it. But that’s “The more screens you have the better” mentality of many theatre owners today.
Hey Ken! I talked to the guy who owns the Harbor a couple of years ago and he said he had gutted it and had no intentions of reopening it. I got the impression he wasn’t going to let it go for less than $350,000.
Chuckv: the Florence Cinemas is a 3-screener. Florence is located on the Central Oregon coast.
I know you were asking the question of Ron but I’d like to jump in here. First, let me say I agree with Ron’s post. As for the classics they are already being digitalized (you can rent them at most any video store) so we won’t loose them. And I’m glad to hear that because I hope to make them part of the product I plan to show at the theatre I’m hoping to build. I agree with you too MPol that no home theatre system can compare with the best theatre system and the true theatre experience.
It’s all hype guys. What the distributors hope for and reality are two different things. The majority of screens in the U.S. are still showing 35mm, some even 70mm (and 16mm prints are still being made). While digital screens will increase (especially among the corporate big boys houses) film will be with us for a long time and no distributor will risk cutting off a source of revenue.
I have been unable to locate any contact info for this outfit. Why is that? I agree that one can buy a complete film booth for far less that 50 grand. I have one bid for 15 grand (used/reconditioned equipment). Can you give us more info on yourself?
You mean there’s a town in Texas named Canadian? I wonder if there’s a town in Canada named Texan. Beautiful theatre and nice article. Would like to visit it someday.
We need more exhibitors who are related to and part of the community. The corporate big boys will never do it as they are too busy catering to a specific demographic and their investors. Besides their bookers are not familiar with the communities for which they book and it is a rare GM who becomes involved in his community.
I wish you well Mike. But, as I said before, if you can’t unload it and would be willing to lease-option it for a percentage of the gross I’d be interested.
I was in that house when I lived in Kent. Nice theatre with great potential. Renton is only overscreened if you play what everyone else is playing. It needs an independent, thinking, creative operator who is willing to develop an audience for some of the other films that are made around the world. There are large ethnic populations there.
Where in Oregon are you Simon? I’m in Medford and thought if you were nearby I’d like to see your operation.
Digital and 3D will not kill the Gentry’s business. The studios will never get all the rural and small town theatres to install Digital and 3D equipment and the story lines for 3D are weak. When the novelty wears off I believe it will be gone just as it was in the ‘50s. If the Gentry offers what the community wants (rather than shoving down their throats what Hollywood says they want) and offers excellent screen performances and reasonable prices it will do just fine. Catering to the community and becoming an active part of it is what makes a theatre successful.
I wish them well. What this country needs is more independent, passionate single screen operators.
Just what any town needs a theatre that is programmed with what the local residents want.
I saw all three of those films Marilyn made Bill and I still say she couldn’t act.
Has anyone ever stopped to realize Marilyn Monroe couldn’t act if her life depended on it. She was a sex symbol and that’s all. In an era when we went to movies to watch our favorite personalities (John Wayne was always John Wayne. Jimmy Stewart was always Jimmy Stewart, etc.) Marilyn Monroe was always Marilyn Monroe and one dose of her was enough to last a lifetime. Norma Jean Baker should have stayed where she was.
Oops! Florence Cinemas is a 4 screener.
Go here http://www.mcmenamins.com/ They are running a number of such theatres in the Portland, Oregon area. Perhaps they would be willing to give you some info.
Good grief! If 306 is picketing then the IA is really in trouble.
I managed a 248 seat single screen theatre in NE Iowa in ‘06, the admission was .99 cents and the theatre ran seven days a week. It was very profitable. The nearest competition was 30 miles away. If this 200 seater has competition it can be run successfully by not going head-to-head with the competition (don’t play what they’re playing) but become a specialty house. Assuming all the equipment is in place and in good shape I wouldn’t hesitate to rent it.
I was in that place in the 90s and there is not room for six auditoriums. They would have been better off restoring it as a single screener or at the most twin it. But that’s “The more screens you have the better” mentality of many theatre owners today.
It’s obvious from what Mr. Morgan said he had no business being in the business in the first place. That house has a lot of potential.
Hey Ken! I talked to the guy who owns the Harbor a couple of years ago and he said he had gutted it and had no intentions of reopening it. I got the impression he wasn’t going to let it go for less than $350,000.
Chuckv: the Florence Cinemas is a 3-screener. Florence is located on the Central Oregon coast.
I wish them well. I started my full-time career as an IA projectionist at another FWC “State” theatre in Pomona.
Also try www.iceco.com in Miami. They gave me a bid at half the price of ACE for reconditioned 35mm equipment.
Hello MPol:
I know you were asking the question of Ron but I’d like to jump in here. First, let me say I agree with Ron’s post. As for the classics they are already being digitalized (you can rent them at most any video store) so we won’t loose them. And I’m glad to hear that because I hope to make them part of the product I plan to show at the theatre I’m hoping to build. I agree with you too MPol that no home theatre system can compare with the best theatre system and the true theatre experience.
It’s all hype guys. What the distributors hope for and reality are two different things. The majority of screens in the U.S. are still showing 35mm, some even 70mm (and 16mm prints are still being made). While digital screens will increase (especially among the corporate big boys houses) film will be with us for a long time and no distributor will risk cutting off a source of revenue.
I have been unable to locate any contact info for this outfit. Why is that? I agree that one can buy a complete film booth for far less that 50 grand. I have one bid for 15 grand (used/reconditioned equipment). Can you give us more info on yourself?
You mean there’s a town in Texas named Canadian? I wonder if there’s a town in Canada named Texan. Beautiful theatre and nice article. Would like to visit it someday.
Is there any contact info for the Whiteside Theatre Foundation?
We need more exhibitors who are related to and part of the community. The corporate big boys will never do it as they are too busy catering to a specific demographic and their investors. Besides their bookers are not familiar with the communities for which they book and it is a rare GM who becomes involved in his community.
I wish you well Mike. But, as I said before, if you can’t unload it and would be willing to lease-option it for a percentage of the gross I’d be interested.
I was in that house when I lived in Kent. Nice theatre with great potential. Renton is only overscreened if you play what everyone else is playing. It needs an independent, thinking, creative operator who is willing to develop an audience for some of the other films that are made around the world. There are large ethnic populations there.
I agree. What a gorgeous theatre. It’s a shame to lose it.
That theatre was located at 2735 SW Parkway and was apparently a 3-screener that is now listed as demolished. (I’m in Medford, OR)